Dynamic range comparison between models

Its probably been covered before so I apologise but can anyone give the dynamic range figures for the 400D, 40D & 5D. Also, is dynamic range a function of sensor size or is there more to it than that?

dpreview does dynamic range tests. I believe their results show the 40D is somewhere around 9 stops and the 5D is around 8 stops.

pounding a raw file to get the most out of it, the 5D is about 10 stops and the 40D comes out with around 11 stops range.

in standard, usable shots, 5d comes in around 8.4, with most cameras before it being between 8.2 and 8.4 stops. this is just over the max jpg images can store (8 stops), and about halfway between what newer canon cameras are around 8.8 stops of usable data.

if you want to know pretty much all the details of exactly how many stops the sensor is capable of, check out this site http://www.clarkvision​.com ….summary/index.​html#model . it's not an easy read, but it's the most real answer you'll find (if you manage to figure out how to use the data that is)

Thanks for the useful link. You are right, it is heavy going. I will try reading it again when I am not suffering the effects of a bottle of Sancerre. One thing I did learn though is that dynamic range is reduced at higher ISO settings. That is very useful.